O?Dwyer injuried at training

Eels lock Luke O?Dwyer has been injured at training and could miss 12 weeks of footy. O?Dwyer was named at lock for the round 7 match against the Sharks at Parramatta Stadium but is out having sustained a similar injury to that one that kept Nathan Hindmash out for most of last season, a replacement has not yet been named.

The Eels are also missing Michael Vella for 1-2 weeks after minor knee surgery and Fui Fui Moi Moi has a rib problem after his impressive debut for the Eels against Manly last Sunday, it is not known when he will return.

The injured list in the Eels forward pack is looking grim with Hopkins and Cannings still out, but Hopkins has resumed training and at pinch could play next week. Canning is still 7 weeks away.

Nathan Hindmarsh and Nathan Cayless will be backing up from a test match less then 24 hours earlier and David Vaealiki will have to pass a fitness test after failing to pass a New Zealand team medical on Monday.

With Vella out Craig Stapleton and Adam Peek will start in the front row with Chris Armit moving back to the bench with Justin Tsoulos the other prop in the 17.

Daniel Wagon is back from suspension and will start at five-eight. Dean Widders is the player most likely to join the starting lineup in place of O?Dwyer with Shane Muspratt likey to join the squad on the bench.

The corresponding match last season saw 2 Sharks sent off and another sin binned in a record 74-4 Eels victory. This one is likely to be a lot closer after the Sharks form last weekend against the Raiders.